Jitterbug is a family owned business in the heart of Ulverston which will offer a mix of products from knitted dinosaurs to candles and earrings.
Sue Little and her husband Bill bought the ‘wonderfully quirky’ three storey building in November 2021 and have been gradually renovating the property over the past three years.
While she is currently the headteacher of Low Furness C of E Primary School, Sue is planning to finish her impressive 30 year career in education and retire this summer.
Their daughter Kim is also helping out with the running of the shop, which will officially open on Saturday July 27.
Sue said: “It has always been a dream of mine to open a shop in my home town of Ulverston where I was born and bred and now that dream is very nearly coming true.
“It is very much a family venture with lots of support from amazing friends.”
Jitterbug will sell traditional gifts as well as scarves and bags from Cambodia, colouring books and construction kits, bespoke jewellery, dog leads and pet bowls, seed cards, copper hooks and towel rails and much more.
While the first two floors of the building will be devoted to the shop, the top floor has been transformed into a gallery.
The second floor of the Market Street shop will feature an ‘amazing’ exhibition of artwork from ‘very talented’ local artist Sian Jeffreys.
“The chance to turn the top floor of Jitterbug into an art gallery is really thrilling,” Sian said.
Work by Daniel Cooper, Jacquie Wallace, Lucy Wright and Jane Rousseau, all of whom offer ‘unique and extremely varied’ styles, will also be featured.
Sian said: “The space is beautifully airy with high, bright, white walls and lots of light coming in from Market Street. It is the perfect setting for some of South Lakes’ most talented artists.
“It is going to be somewhere to really appreciate the beauty and skills of local creatives and to also buy original pieces of art at reasonable prices.”
The gallery will also feature seating, so people are able to sit and enjoy the artwork rather than simply browse in order to purchase.